Cadillac STS-V Series Forum Discussion, Groan in drivers side front break in Cadillac V-Series Forums; When warmed up or hot the front drivers side break groans heavily on a hard stop. This does this every ...

Groan in drivers side front break

When warmed up or hot the front drivers side break groans heavily on a hard stop. This does this every time. I checked the rotors and they look fine. The pads are only 27k old and look to be worn half way. The pass side doesn't do it. It happens about 40 mph and up. doing 60 hit them firmly and stay on them firmly to a complete stop you get GGGGRRRRROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN...

Re: Groan in drivers side front break

Cripe! I'm at 18K on mine and probably have just 20% remaining pad life; I'm not sure they will even last another 10K. Do you feel pulsing in the pedal? I've noticed the ABS is a bit finnicky on my car at low speeds.

Re: Groan in drivers side front break

Ok When you hear a groan in the wheels when breaking ITS TIME TO REPLACE YOUR PADS!!!! After another hard stop I heard metal on metal grinding. I thought i gouged my rotor. I bought new pads and put them on myself and to my suprise it was only the warning clip grinding. $175 and back on the road. BTW changing pads on this car is a no brainer. 30 min total for both front breaks. You need a couple of tools.. 19mm soket for removal of lug nuts. a decent size flat head screw driver (to compress pistons) and a punch to knock out the retaining pins. If you cant figure out how to change these pads then don't even bother lifting the hood.......

Re: Groan in drivers side front break

Good work on answering your own question AND doing required maintenance in little time

That said, have to clear something up. The things that slow and stop a vehicle are BRAKES. When something explodes or you discombobulate something, it BREAKS. Now that's clear, haha. You're not alone, I see that on forums everywhere, and it makes me wonder sometimes...especially when in this case you drive an STS-V

Re: Groan in drivers side front break

I just had mine replaced at 26K. The front rotors were right on the edge, so I replaced them with performance rotors (cross drilled/dimpled). Since I had to take it in to have the recall done, the dealer did it for me. He installed the Hawk HPS pads I had bought and stuck in the trunk (instead of the squeaky and very dusty GM pads). Funny story on breaking the pads in, though.

So I leave the dealer and drive slowly to the industrial complex where I figure there are few cops and long open stretches of roadway between the warehouses to get the car up to speed and then brake. Get to the end of the first building and guess who I spot - a cop. Rather then wait for him to come after me, I pull right up to him and hand him the instructions, asking politely, "Where can I do this officer and not get in trouble, since I don't want to do this on the open road." He was very polite, read over the instructions, checked out my ride, and then escorted me behind a long warehouse. He said he wasn't sure if I had enough space to get it up to the required 50 mph, but I assured him it was enough. I asked him if he wanted to join me, but he politely declined, but asked me to be careful and not over do it. With a friendly handshake he was on his way, and my new brakes are bedded in perfectly. So far no squeaks or dust!